Mr Trump signalled in January he would block the passage of the 12-nation pact in order to protect American jobs.
Trade ministers from the 11 remaining countries have met in Vietnam to get the deal back on track.

The representatives also agreed to help the US rejoin the deal at any time.

The bid to revive the TPP, which would have covered 40% of the global economy, was led by trade ministers from Japan, Australia and New Zealand.

New Zealand trade minister Todd McClay said the remaining countries "are committed to finding a way forward to deliver" the deal.

I am a great believer in free trade and I don't think the TPP was a bad deal. In fact I hope it does go.

What I don't understand is Trump's position of wanting trade deals, but wanting a whole bunch of individual deals with each country.

"But for labor groups, there is no debate: Nafta hurt American jobs and household earnings. And the sweeping trade agreement cast a shadow that persists today, spurring deep skepticism of the major trade deals the Obama administration is negotiating with Europe and a dozen Pacific Rim countries."

"But for labor groups, there is no debate: Nafta hurt American jobs and household earnings. And the sweeping trade agreement cast a shadow that persists today, spurring deep skepticism of the major trade deals the Obama administration is negotiating with Europe and a dozen Pacific Rim countries."

Well, it's unions and Trump. And so since Trump says it, all the RW, the staunch defenders of capitalism are saying it too. That just makes me :

Well if you recall Sanders supporters all wore "No TPP" shirts at the DNC convention as well. It seems to be part of the populist movement on both sides. Elizabeth Warren is also staunchly against it. It seems to me there could be parts that could be salvaged or used in another way but any trade agreements these days seem to get labeled right out of the gate.

Well if you recall Sanders supporters all wore "No TPP" shirts at the DNC convention as well. It seems to be part of the populist movement on both sides. Elizabeth Warren is also staunchly against it. It seems to me there could be parts that could be salvaged or used in another way but any trade agreements these days seem to get labeled right out of the gate.

I'm used to those on the left side of the left wing being of that opinion. That is nothing new. Ones I have seriously talked with will agree there is some price to pay for those actions but feel it results in a net benefit, a position I personally disagree with.

But the right wing being anti-free trade (yes, realizing that most agreements aren't totally free trade) is a new thing for me.

I'm used to those on the left side of the left wing being of that opinion. That is nothing new. Ones I have seriously talked with will agree there is some price to pay for those actions but feel it results in a net benefit, a position I personally disagree with.

But the right wing being anti-free trade (yes, realizing that most agreements aren't totally free trade) is a new thing for me.

Well I think the right wing tea party has been but certainly not the traditional establishment republicans. They have always been for trade agreements. But when some of these newer ones began entering politics in 2010, its mucked up the issue on the right now as well. I guess its now safe to say that the moderate establishment on both sides favor trade agreements while the fringes don't.